You are here

UN publication focuses on abuse, femicide of older women

November 23, 2017

The Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) released its 8th volume on Femicide today, Abuse and Femicide of Older Women. Among the contributors are CSSLRV Director Myrna Dawson whose article focuses on patterns in femicide of older women in Ontario from 1974-2012. The characteristics of those involved in these killings and the circumstances surrounding the deaths are described and contrasted with femicide of younger women. The volume highlights that violence and femicide of older women is a widespread problem that has received little attention. Contributions from Canada, several African countries, India, Israel, Austria, Ghana, Belgium, Finland, Lithuania and Portugal begin to address this gap in knowledge by analyzing the various ways in which women, aged 55 and older, are psychologically and physically mistreated, often leading to death. The release of the volume coincides with an ACUNS symposium on Violence Against Elderly Women being held in Vienna on November 24, just prior to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25.